Typewriting machine



April28, 1942.

a. J. DOW D ETAL 2,280,808

v TYPEWRITING MACHINE Filed March 14, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet l- M INVENTORS Berna-rd JTDowd Henry J? Harm- Br fla/M M April 28, 1942. B. J. DOWD ETAL TYPE-WRITING MACHINE Filed March 14, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet Z J H6071" I I Patented Apr. 28, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFICE TYPEVVRITING MACHINE of New York Application March 14, 1941, Serial No. 383,442

21 Claims. (01. 197-486) This invention relates to typewriting or the like machines and more particularly to construetions of such machines adapted to minimize or eliminate vibration and unequal type impression spacing.

Even well built typewriters capable of perform ing efficiently and with well-equalized letter spacing when operated on solid desks or other supports are subject to producing unequal letterspacing when supported on shaky, unstable desks or tables subject to vibration. Great difiiculty heretofore has been encountered in trying to overcome such uneven letter-spacing, particularly in connection with long carriage machines.

In the copending application of Bernard J..

Dowd and Henry J. Hart, Serial Number 293,124, filed September 1, 1939, there is disclosed and claimed a typewriter construction in which the frame mounted track rail on which the carriage travels is maintained at a substantially fixed level and is positioned horizontally with respect to the frame by resilient connections interposed between the frame and rail. The construction disclosed in the copending application is such that the connections betweenthe frame and rail are yieldable under the influence of vibrations caused by machine operation to permit horizontal floating movement of the rail on the frame. This slight limited floating of the rail materially reduces uneven letter-spacing.

The vibrations set up in a typewriter and in the desk or table on which it is supported ar very complex. They vary considerably due to the varying characteristics of different desks or tables and it is not always possible to locate and correct the causes of troublesome vibratory effects.

In the construction disclosed in the copending application previously referred to the resilient connections between the frame and track rail have substantially constant resiliency characteristics and therefore they may be more effective in reducing unequal letter-spacing in one typewriter and desk set-up subject to compound or complex vibrational disturbances than in reducing the undesirable unequal letter-spacing in a different set-up subject to different complex vibrational disturbances.

An object of the present invention is to provide means for varying or modifying the resiliency characteristics of resilient connections embodied in a typewriter construction for enabling adjustments to minimize undesirable effects caused by different complex or compound vibrations.

Another object is to provide for varying by adjustment the resiliency characteristics of a float-- ing connection between a typewriter main frame and a track rail carried by the frame.

Another object is to provide for varying by adjustment the resiliency characteristics of a floating connection between a typewriter main frame and escapement frame.

A further object is to provide a resilient connection adapted to be interposed between a typewriter frame and track rail and which is easily adjustable so as to facilitate assembly and insertion of the connection between the frame and rail.

Other objects will become apparent from a reading of the following description, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a rear view partly in elevation and partly in section showing a typewriter embodying the invention in one form, some conventional typewriter parts being omitted;

Figure 2 is a horiztonal section on the line 22 of Figure l and drawn on an enlarged scale;

Figure 3 is a group perspective view drawn on an enlarged scale and showing parts of an adjustable shock absorber separated;

Figure 4 is a horizontal section on the line 4-4 of Figure 1 and drawn on an enlarged scale;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary elevational view looking in the direction of the arrow 5 in Figure l;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View on the line 66 of Figure 2 and drawn on an enlarged scale;

Figure '7 is a fragmentary view partly in section and partly in elevation showing a modified assembly of track rail, main frame, and adjustable shock absorber; and

Figure 8 is a fragmentary view in rear elevation showing an escapament frame connected to a frame rail by adjustable shock absorbers.

The invention may be embodied in typewriting or like machines of various kinds, Figure 1 showing the invention as being incorporated in a long-carriage Royal typewriter including a main frame A and a carriage B mounted for longitudinal letter-spacing movements on the frame under the control of an escapement mechanism generally designated C.

The frame A includes as parts thereof two end extension brackets ll secured to the frame casting by screws 22. The brackets I are provided at their outer ends with outer pads 3-3 and at their inner ends adjacent the frame casting are formed with inner pads 4-4. A bottom track rail is formed with end pads (i-t which rest upon the frame end pads 33, and with intermediate pads 'i-l' which rest upon the frame pads 4- 1. Therail 5 is connected to the main frame in a manner to be described which permits it to move horizontally with respect to the frame.

The carriage shown is of conventional construction, and includes end plates 13-44, a margin stop bar 9, and a carriage rail if] supported on the frame rail 5 through the medium of balls H. The carriage is urged in the direction of the arrow a, i. e., to the right, as viewed in Figure 1 (Figure l is a rear View), by a draw band l2 connected to the carriage and peripherally engaging and being anchored to a spring drum I3 journaled on the main frame as at M. Margin stops [5 positioned on the margin stop bar 9 are adapted to Cooperate in the usual manner with a center stop 15.

The escapcment mechanism C is of known construction and includes an escapement frame I! mounted on the bottom rail 5, a rocker it], a movable dog l5, a dog spring it), an escapement Wheel 2!, and a pinion fi (see Fig. 8) cooperating with a rack 22 supported on the carriage.

The frame-mounted rail 5 is supported for horizontal movements on the frame and is connected to the frame in such manner as to be fioatingly positioned horizontally with respect to the frame. Each frame end pad 3 is provided with a slot opening 23 which receives with clearance a shouldered screw stud 2 3 having a shank 25 and a head 28. The dimension of the slot 23 in the direction of longitudinal carriage movement and transversely thereto is greater than the corresponding dimension of the shank 25, so as to permit longitudinal shifting of the shank 25 in the slot. A plate washer 2'! interposed between the stud head 26 and the bottom of the pad 3 anchors the rail 5 against vertical movement. The washer 21 just touches the bottom of the pad 3 without binding, so that the rail may move longitudinally of the direction of carriage travel.

As previously stated, it has been found that permitting the frame rail 5 to float horizontally from a neutral position in both directions longitudinally of the rail under the influence of shocks or vibrations caused by machine operation very desirably minimize or eliminates uneven letterspacing heretofore resulting from such shocks or vibrations, particularly when the machine is operated on an unstable desk or other support. Cushioning elements generally designated D-D are connected between the main frame and the bottom track rail 5 for positioning the latter floatingly with respect to the main frame. The elements D are formed as lead springs including U-shaped parts the legs of which are provided with attaching feet 28 and 29 secured respectively to the track rail 5 and main frame by means of screws 30 and 3|.

It is desirable to provide for the making of nice adjustments of the position of the frame rail 5 fore and aft of the machine in order to effect the usual stop-ring and cylinder adjustment. To this end each frame inner pad 4 is formed with a vertical opening 32 which opens into a horizontally extending opening 33. Pins 34 fixed respectively to the rail inner pads I extend down through the vertical openings 32 and into circumferential grooves 35 formed in screws 36 having threaded engagement with the frame pads 4 and equipped with lock nuts 31. Rotation of the screws 36 will cause the pins 34 to be shifted forwardly or rearwardly, thus determining the fore and aft position of the carriage and platen with respect to the stop ring or type bar abutment (not shown). The pins 3 1 and grooves 35 guide the longitudinal floating movement of the rail in both directions.

In use, the bottom rail 5 will move longitudinally as permitted by the resiliency of the cushioning elements D. The elements D, however, will tend to maintain the rail in a neutral or centralized position wherein the stud shanks 25 are disposed centrally in the slots 23. The stud shanks 25 act as stops to prevent any unusual or extreme degree of longitudinal floating of the rail.

The general organization of parts thus far described is similar to that disclosed in the copending application Serial Number 293,124. In accordance with the present invention the resilient shock absorber members D are provided or equipped with means for modifying their resiliency characteristics, i. e., their yielding and restoring actions. This may be accomplished by variably damping the leaf spring leg portions of the members D. In the form shown a clamping device generally designated E is attached to each of the members D and is adapted to be moved to different positions of adjustment on the associated member D. Each clamping device E includes two clamping pieces 38 and 39 respectively spanning the legs of the associated member D and bearing against the side edges of the legs. A bolt 46 extends from the clamping piece 38, thence between the legs of the member D and through the piece 39, the projecting end of the bolt being threaded to receive a nut 4! which can be adjusted to tighten the grips of the pieces 38 and 39 on the legs of the member D. A coil compression spring 42 surrounding the bolt 46 and pressing outwardly on the clamping pieces 33 and 39 assists in separating the clamping pieces when the nut 41 is loosened, thus facilitating movement of the entire clamping device E up or down on the member D. Thus by loosening and tightening the nut 4| it is possible to adjust the position of the clamping device E up and down on the legs of the member D, thereby varying or modifying the resiliency characteristics of the member D. By trying different adjustments of one or both members D it is possible to obtain a final adjustment which reduces the undesirable effects of any particular set of complex vibrations further than is possible when using resilient connections having substantially fixed characteristics.

Preferably the clamping pieces 33 and 39 are formed respectively with portions 38 and 39 engageable with the side edges of the legs of the members I) and with other portions 38 and 39 engageable with the inner mutually facing surfaces of the legs (see Figure 4) In order to prevent the bolts 40 from turning their heads 40- are positioned in recesses 38 in the clamping pieces 38, the heads being held against turning by the walls of the recesses.

Preferably the clamping pieces are dimensioned so as to have more extended bearing surface on the frame attached legs of the members D than on the legs which are attached to the rail 5.

The members D may be made so as to provide for relative adjustment of their legs both longitudinally and transversely of the legs so as to facilitate assembly by compensating for slight variations in the dimensioning of the parts. The

U-shaped member D at the right of the machine (as viewed in Figure 1) is shown disassembled in Figure 3. One leg of the member comprises two overlapping portions 43 and 44, the latter being integral with the attaching foot 28. The leg portion 43 is formed with two slots 45 extending transversely of the leg and the portion 44 is formed with two slots 46 extending longitudinally of the leg. When the parts are assembled the slots 46 register respectively with the slots 45 to receive securing screws 41 having threaded connection to a plate 48. The extension of the slots 45 and 46 in opposite directions makes it possible to adjust the leg portions both transversely and longitudinally with respect to the leg thus facilitating assembling of the U-shaped part between the track rail and the frame A. A still further adjustment is provided by forming the attaching foot 28 of each member D with adjusting slots 49 for adjustably accommodating the screws 30 which are threaded into the track rail 5.

Figure 7 shows one form of construction which may be easily embodied in a Royal standard typewriter. A cushioning element D is formed in two parts 56 and 5| clamped together by screws 52 passing through slots 53 in the part 5| and having threaded engagement with the part 50. The part 55 is formed with an attaching foot 54 provided with openings 55 receiving screws 56 which clamp the foot 54 to the frame rail 5. The part 5! is provided with a foot 51 secured to the main frame A by a screw 58 and by a screw 59 extending through an opening 65 in the main frame. The openings 53, 55 and 55, being larger in diameter than the screws which they receive, permit adjustment of the cushion D for aligning the rail 5 vertically and horizontally.

The shock absorber part D is fitted with a clamping device E similar to that shown in Figures 4 and 5 for varying its characteristics.

Figure 8 shows an embodiment of the invention in which the escapement frame l! is connected. to and supported on the frame-mounted track rail 5 through the medium of U-shaped cushioning elements D D located on opposite sides of the frame l1. Each element D is formed with a foot Bl clamped to the rail 5 by means of a screw 62, and with a foot 63 clamped to the escapment frame If by means of a screw 64. By virtue of the spring cushion mounting of the escapement frame, the escapement mechanism will be permitted to float horizontally under the influence of shocks or vibrations. Such floating materially reduces the uneven letter-spacing sometimes resulting from shocks or vibrations caused by machine operation on a shaky table or desk. The shock absorber members D are fitted respectively with clamping devices E similar to that shown in Figures 4 and 5 for adjusting or varying the resiliency characteristics of the U- shaped parts.

The mechanisms disclosed herein for the pur poses of illustration embody the invention in preferred forms, but it is apparent that changes may be made in the particular construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the invention as defined in the claims.

We claim:

1. In a typewriting or like machine, a main frame; a carriage; means mounting the carriage for longitudinal movement on the frame and supporting the weight of the carriage including a track rail supported on the frame; resilient means interposed between the rail and frame and floatingly positioning the rail horizontally with Cil respect to the frame; and means for modifying the resiliency characteristics of said resilient means,

2. In a typewriting or like machine, a main frame; a carriage; means mounting the carriage for longitudinal movement on the frame and supporting the weight of the carriage including a track rail supported on the frame; resilient means interposed between the rail and frame and floatingly positioning the rail horizontally with respect to the frame; and adjustable means carried by said resilient means for variably damping said resilient means.

3. In a typewriting or like machine, a main frame; a carriage; means mounting the carriage for longitudinal movement on the frame and supporting the weight of the carriage including a track rail supported on the frame; spring means interposed between the rail and frame and floatingly positioning the rail horizontally with re spect to the frame; and means adjustably attached to said spring means for varying the yielding and restoring actions thereof.

4. In a typewriting or like machine, a main frame; a carriage; means mounting the carriage for longitudinal movement on the frame including a track rail supported on the frame; spring means interposed between the rail and frame and fioatingly positioning the rail horizontally with respect to the frame; and a clamp device attached to said spring means so as to engage spaced relatively movable portions thereof.

5. In a typewriting or like machine, a main frame; a carriage; means mounting the carriage for longitudinal movement on the frame including a track rail supported on the frame; leaf spring means interposed between the rail and frame and floatingly positioning the rail horizontally with respect to the frame; and a clamp device attached to said spring means in adjusted position thereon so as to engage spaced relatively movable portions thereof.

6. In a typewriting or like machine, a main frame; a carriage; means mounting the carriage for longitudinal movement on the frame including a horizontal track rail supported on the frame; a resilient member having a substantially U-shaped part with legs thereof secured to said rail and said frame respectively, said member being yieldable under the influence of vibrations induced by machine operation to permit horizontal floating movement of the rail on the frame; and means mounted on and engaging the legs of said U-shaped part for modifying the resiliency of said member.

'7. In a typewriting or like machine, a main frame; a carriage; means mounting the carriage for longitudinal movement on the frame includ ing a horizontal track rail supported on the frame, a resilient member having a substantially U-shaped part with legs thereof secured to said rail and said frame respectively, said member being yieldable under the influence of vibrations induced by machine operation to permit horizontal floating movement of the rail on the frame; and a clamp device adjustably attached to the legs of said U-shaped part for modifying the resiliency characteristics of said member.

8. In a typewriting or like machine, a main frame; a carriage; means mounting the carriage for longitudinal movement on the frame including a horizontal track rail supported on the frame; a resilient member having a substantially U-shaped part with legs thereof secured to said rail and said frame respectively, said member being yieldable under the influence of vibrations induced by machine operation to permit horizontal floating movement or the rail on the frame; a clamping piece spanning said legs at a side of said U-shaped part; a second clamping piece spanning said legs on the other side of said U-shaped part; and fastening means engaging both said clamping pieces and holding them against said legs.

9. In a typewriting or like machine, a main frame; a carriage; means mounting the carriage for longitudinal movement on the frame including a horizontal track rail supported on the frame, a resilient member having a substantially U-shaped part with legs thereof secured to said rail and said frame respectively, said member being yieldable under the influence of vibrations induced by machine operation to permit horizontal floating movement of the rail on the frame; a clamping piece spanning said legs at a side of said U-shaped part; a second clamping piece spanning said legs on the other side of said U-shaped part; fastening means engaging both said clamping pieces and holding them against said legs; and a compression spring interposed between said clamping pieces. .3

10. In a typewriting or like machine, a main frame; a carriage; means mounting the carriage for longitudinal movement on the frame including a horizontal track rail supported on the frame; a resilient member having a substantially U-shaped part with legs thereof secured to said rail and said frame respectively, said member being yieldable under the influence of vibrations induced by machine operation to permit horizontal floating movement of the rail on the frame; a clamping piece spanning said legs at a side of said U-shaped part; a second clamping piece spanning said legs on the other side of said U-shaped part; a threaded member extending between said legs and engaging both said clamping pieces for drawing the latter respectively intocontact with the edges of said legs; and a coiled compression spring surrounding said threaded member and engaging and thrusting? outwardly against said clamping pieces.

11. In a typewriting or like machine, a main frame; a carriage; means mounting the carriage for longitudinal movement on the frame including a horizontal track rail supported on the frame; a resilient member having a substantially U-shaped part with legs thereof secured to said rail and said frame respectively, said member being yieldable under the influence of vibrations induced by machine operation to permit horizontal floating movement of the rail on the frame; a clamping piece spanning said legs at a side of said U-shaped part; a second clamping piece spanning said legs on the other side of said U-shaped part; and fastening means engaging both said clamping pieces and holding lthem against said legs, said clamping pieces having more extended bearing on the leg which is adjacent and connected to the frame than on the leg which is adjacent and connected to the track rail.

12. In a typewriting or like machine, a main frame; a carriage; means mounting the carriage for longitudinal movement on the frame including a horizontal track rail supported on the frame; a resilient member having a substantially U-shaped part with legs thereof secured to said rail and said frame respectively, said member being yieldable under the influence of vibrations induced by machine operation to permit horizontal floating movement of the rail on the frame; a clamping piece spanning said legs at a side of said U-shaped part; a second clamping piece spanning said legs on the other side of said U-shaped part; and fastening means engaging both said clamping pieces and holding them against said legs, said clamping pieces having portions contacting the side edges of said legs and portions extending between said legs and contacting the mutually facing surfaces thereof.

13. In a typewriting or like machine, a main frame; a carriage; means mounting the carriage for longitudinal movement on the frame including a horizontal track rail supported on the frame; a resilient member having a substantially U-shaped part with legs thereof secured to said rail and said frame respectively, said member being yieldable under the influence of vibrations induced by machine operation to permit horizontal floating movement of the rail on the frame; a clamping piece spanning said legs at a side of said U-shaped part; a second clamping piece spanning said legs on the other side of said U-shaped part, one of said clamping pieces having a depression facing outwardly away from said U-shaped part; a bolt extending between said legs and having'its head received in said depression so as to be held against turning by the walls of said depression, said bolt projecting through said other clamping piece; and an adjusting nut on the projecting portion of said bolt.

14. In a typewriting or like machine, a main frame; a carriage mounted for longitudinal travel on the main frame; escapement mechanism interposed between the main frame and carriage and including an escapement frame; means including a resilient member mounting said escapement frame on said main frame and fioatingly positioning the escapement frame longitudinally with respect to the main frame, said resilient member having a substantially U-shaped part With the legs thereof connected to said main frame and to said escapement frame respectively; and a clamp device adjustably attached to the legs of said U-shaped part for modifying the resiliency characteristics of said member.

15. In a typewriting or like machine, a main frame; a track rail supported thereon; a carriage mounted for longitudinal travel on said track rail; escapement mechanism interposed between the main frame and carriage and including an escapement frame; means including a resilient member mounting said escapement frame on said track rail and floatingly positioning the escapement frame longitudinally with respect to the rail; and means for modifying the resiliency characteristics of said resilient member.

16. In a typewriting or like machine, a main frame; a track rail supported thereon; a carriage mounted for longitudinal travel on said track rail; escapement mechanism interposed between the main frame and carriage and including an escapement frame; means including a resilient member mounting said escapement frame on said track rail and floatingly positioning the escapement frame longitudinally with respect to the rail, said resilient member having a substantially U-shaped part with the legs thereof connected to said track rail and said escapement frame respectively; and a clamp device attached to the legs of said U-shaped part for modifying the resiliency characteristics of said member.

1'7. Typewriter or like machine construction as set forth in claim 14 and in which one of the legs of the U-shaped part i in two sections and which includes means for holding said sections together in different relative positions both longitudinally of and transversely of said leg.

18. Typewriter or like machine construction as set forth in claim 7 and in which one of the legs of the U-shaped part is in two sections and which includes means for holding said sections together in different relative positions both longitudinally of and transversely of said leg.

19. Typewriter or like machine construction as set forth in claim 6 in which one of the legs .of the U-shaped part is in two sections, said sections having mutually overlapping portions, one of said portions having a slot extending longitudinally of said leg and the other of said portions having a slot extending transversely of said leg; and which includes a fastening device passing through said slots for holding said sections together in adjusted position.

20. In a typewriter or like machine, a main frame; a carriage; means mounting the carriage for longitudinal movement on the frame including a horizontal track rail supported on the frame; a resilient member having a substantially U-shaped part with legs thereof secured to said rail and said frame respectively, said member being yieldable under the influence of vibrations induced by machine operation to permit horizontal floating movement of the rail on the frame, one leg of said U-shaped part being in two sections, said sections having mutually overlapping portions, one of said portions having a slot extending longitudinally of said leg and the other of said sections having a slot extending transversely of said leg; and a fastening device passing through said slots for holding said sections together in adjusted position.

21. In a typewriting or like machine, a main frame; a carriage; means mounting the carriage for longitudinal movement on the frame including a track rail supported on the frame; escapement mechanism interposed between the frame and carriage and including an escapement frame mounted on said track rail; resilient means interposed between the rail and frame and floatingly positioning the rail and escapement frame horizontally with respect to the frame; and means for modifying the resiliency characteristics of said resilient means.

BERNARD J. DOW'D. HENRY J. HART. 

